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Featuring 5 reels and 9 paylines, Dead or Alive is all about opening the free spins feature with Sticky Wilds. If you do and manage to go all the way, you can claim a 13,888x maximum win. Head below for our full Dead or Alive review to see how this iconic game and its exciting features stacks up to newer releases.
- Provider: NetEnt
- Release date: 2009
- Reels: 5
- Rows: 3
- Paylines: 9
- RTP: 96.21%
- Volatility: Very High
- Minimum bet: $0.09
- Maximum bet: $18
- Maximum win: 13,888x
Who Should Play Dead or Alive
Thanks to its straightforward gameplay and exciting free spins and Sticky Wild features, NetEnt’s Dead or Alive has become an incredibly popular slot. However, you have to consider the high volatility before you start playing.
If your budget is small, it may not last too long on Dead or Alive unless you get lucky. You don’t need to be a high roller to play, but you will need to have a bankroll and use smart betting to stay in the game as long as possible.
Dead or Alive Biggest Win
The biggest on-record win for Dead or Alive is over $11,000, but this game is capable of bigger payouts of up to 13,888x your stake.
How to Play Dead or Alive
The Dead or Alive slot has 5 reels, 3 rows, and just 9 paylines. All paylines are active on each spin, and winning combinations land from left to right and pay when 3 or more matching symbols are on a line.
You can start spinning the reels for real money by making a minimum wager of $0.09, while the maximum possible stake is $18. You can make your sessions easier by programming between 10 and 1,000 auto spins with the Autoplay feature.
Dead or Alive Wild West Symbols and Payouts
All of Dead or Alive’s symbols have been given a lick of cowboy paint to look more in keeping with the Western theme. For example, the low-paying symbols are 10, J, Q, K, and A royals, but with a design that fits the theme of the game. The high-paying symbols on the Dead or Alive slot are whiskey glasses, boots, Stetson hats, gun holsters, and sheriff badges.
The Wanted poster is the wild symbol and will replace other symbols to help form winning combinations on a line. A scatter symbol is your gateway to the free spins feature if you get 3 or more on the reels.
Below are the top payouts for each symbol:
| Symbol | Payout/Info |
|---|---|
| 10 | 3, 4 or 5 = 0.22, 1.11 or 2.77 x stake |
| J | 3, 4 or 5 = 0.22, 1.11 or 4.44 x stake |
| Q | 3, 4 or 5 = 0.44, 1.33 or 5.55 x stake |
| K | 3, 4 or 5 = 0.55, 1.66 or 8.33 x stake |
| A | 3, 4 or 5 = 1.11, 2.22 or 11.11 x stake |
| Shot Glass | 3, 4 or 5 = 1.11, 5.55 or 22.22 x stake |
| Boots | 3, 4 or 5 = 1.33, 6.66 or 33.33 x stake |
| Hat | 3, 4 or 5 = 1.66, 8.33 or 44.44 x stake |
| Gun Belt | 3, 4 or 5 = 2.22, 11.11 or 83.33 x stake |
| Sheriff Badge | 3, 4 or 5 = 2.22, 13.88 or 111.11 x stake |
| Scatter | 3+ triggers free spins + pays up to 277.77 x |
| Wild | Substitutes for all except scatter + pays up to 166.66 x |
Play Dead or Alive on Mobile
While Dead or Alive is one of NetEnt’s oldest slot releases, it has gone through regular updates to become mobile compatible. Like all NetEnt mobile slots, the game is built on HTML5 technology, meaning it is responsive and optimized for smartphones and tablets.
You can play Dead or Alive on the move via mobile browser sites and casino apps, no matter whether you are on iOS or Android.
Dead or Alive RTP, Payout, and Volatility
The Dead or Alive RTP is 96.82%, which is high for an online slot but not quite enough to be officially classed as a high RTP slot game. There are also 95.03% and 94.03% RTP versions, so check the game paytable on the casino where you choose to play. Ideally, you want the version with the highest RTP.
Around one-third of all spins will result in a payout on average, but the high volatility means that big wins are few and far between. Expect smaller wins and be ready to manage your bankroll carefully over longer sessions.
Dead or Alive Bonus Features
For Dead or Alive, NetEnt puts two bonus features. The game served as a sort of precursor for the blockbuster multi-feature slots the company would make in the following years.
Free Spins Feature
The Dead or Alive free spins feature triggers with 3 or more Guns symbols appearing anywhere on the reels. 12 free spins are available with a 2x multiplier. There is also a payout related to the number of Guns symbols that landed on the reels to unlock the feature.
| 2 scatters | 0.22 x stake but no feature trigger |
| 3 scatters | 0.44 x stake |
| 4 scatters | 2.77 x stake |
| 5 scatters | 277.77 x stake |
Get 3 more scatter symbols, and the bonus will re-trigger for a potential maximum of 24 free spins.
Sticky Wild
During your free spins round, a Sticky Wild comes into play. The standard Wanted poster wild becomes sticky and locks into position when it lands on a reel. Any wild will stay in place for the duration of the free spins bonus. Furthermore, the wild symbol also rewards additional free spins at a rate of 5 spins for 1 or more wild symbols.
Dead or Alive Graphics & Sound
Dead or Alive is a Wild West-themed slot machine that was launched in 2009. Some of its visuals show signs of aging and don’t hold up too well these days. Despite that, the overall look and feel of the slot remain top-notch.
It nails the Western theme, and we really like the moody backdrop, the western metal accents, and well-designed reels. Authenticity ramps up when you put the sound on, including creaking, Wild West whistles, and saloon doors swinging.
Gameplay and Overall Experience
One of the most popular online slots ever, Dead or Alive stands for approachable fun. However, this is a slot that commands respect. With high volatility, this game can shoot down your bankroll if you’re not careful. Expect long spells with spins either paying nothing or below your stake.
Set your budget and bet amounts carefully to allow your bankroll to last as long as possible. The goal is to get lucky by triggering the free spins feature, which is where the big payouts are.
Our Own Gameplay Experience
The storm brewing in the background of the reels, complete with cracking thunder and flashing lightning, hinted at the volatile nature of Dead or Alive as we played 200 spins.
- 200 spins at $1.80 per spin.
- Result: $72.00 loss
- Biggest wins: $32.50, $11.00, $7.50
- Bonus triggers: 1
Playing Dead or Alive on Demo Mode
If you want to test out the Dead or Alive slot for yourself, there is a demo version you can try. Playing the Dead or Alive free game gives you complete access to the slot without the need to risk your own money.
The only downside is all games are inactive, so all your winnings are meaningless. Even so, the Dead or Alive demo does allow you to test the game with the confidence of not risking your own funds.
Playing Dead or Alive with Bonus Money
Joining an online casino for the first time usually means you are eligible for a welcome bonus offering free casino cash. You’ll need to make a minimum deposit, but once you claim the offer, you can use your casino credits to play the Dead or Alive slot. If you do win, it is then possible to withdraw your profit. However, you will need to meet T&Cs, such as a wagering requirement, and there may be a cap on the amount you can win/withdraw when playing with bonus cash.
Our team has found the best casino bonuses. The digital casino gaming sites we recommend combine generous rewards with accessible terms and conditions.
Play Dead or Alive for Real Money
You have a duel at high noon between your bankroll and the Dead or Alive slot. This is a game that is designed to be played for real stakes. Yes, playing Dead or Alive for free is helpful, but the true excitement comes from risking your bankroll to try and win a cash reward.
Remember to always gamble within your financial means and avoid chasing your losses.
Dead or Alive Pros and Cons
Let’s take a quick look at the most prominent pros and cons of this iconic slot game.
- Smooth and lucrative free spins feature
- One of the most popular slots ever
- 13,888x maximum win
- Sticky Wild feature
- Some of the graphics look dated
- Volatility is extremely high
Dead or Alive Slot Summary
Dead or Alive is an absolutely iconic slot that we were surprised to find still holds up today. Sure, the visuals look a little dated, but the gameplay of Dead or Alive is thrilling. If you ride out the high volatility during the base game, the free spins feature can deliver big payouts.
This is still one of the easiest slots to recommend, especially if you like high-variance games.
Our Score: 4.5/5